After coming back to earth following a three-game win streak, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team is going on a road trip to face Tarleton State University on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:00 p.m. followed by Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Jan. 17 at noon.
Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
Even after a tough overtime loss to California Baptist University, the Thunderbirds have a respectable record of 11-5. They’re heading into this critical three-game road trip with a 3-1 conference record, and they’ve won four of their eight road games this year.
After a dominant stretch of games, Ava Uhrich was recently named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the second time this year. In conference play, she leads the WAC with 12.8 rebounds per game and recently matched a career-high with 17 rebounds against CBU.
Uhrich’s co-stars Brooklyn Fely and Sierra Chambers have also continued to impress. Chambers consistently threatens to score 20 or more points while Fely stuffs the stat sheet and nearly averages a double-double on the year.
The Thunderbirds have only lost by more than 10 points twice this season. Their depth, starpower, pace of play and prowess on both sides of the ball should be on full display as they aim to improve in conference play.
Tarleton State
The Texans hold a 7-8 record and have gone 1-3 in conference play. They’ve been on the short end of a few close losses recently, including an overtime loss similar to the one SUU suffered.
Tarleton State hasn’t seen many statistical declines over their cold stretch but have been outdueled on offense and lack a primary ballhandler. Two Texans average more than 10 points per game and one of them, Gia Adams, leads her team with 3.5 assists per game.
TSU’s other star has been forward Shadasia Brackens. She’s second in points and third in blocks while leading her team in rebounds and steals.
Southern Utah is 2-5 against Tarleton State all-time. The T-Birds are looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Texans.
Abilene Christian
The Wildcats hold a formidable 12-5 record and have gone 3-1 in conference play. They’ve only lost two games by more than three points all season.
ACU is made even more intimidating by their 9-0 home record this season. SUU has never defeated Abilene Christian at home, so this matchup will be the true test of the Thunderbird gameplan.
The Wildcats do have one glaring weakness, which is that they shoot 27.3% from three. However, they’re afforded some misses thanks to their huge advantage in forced turnovers and steals. The T-Birds will have to be mindful of their handles in order to keep a solid lead.
Abilene Christian is led by guard Payton Hull. The junior leads her team in points and steals, while also shooting the most threes despite making just 27.7%. If SUU limits her ability to swipe the ball, she won’t be able to get as many scoring opportunities.
SUU is 2-3 against ACU all-time. The Thunderbirds won the last contest, in which neither team reached 50 points.
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Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Isaac Hirschi
